CORTICOTROPIN AND CORTISONE TREATMENT FOR SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS

Abstract

We have studied 64 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, 30 of whom were treated with various regimens that included corticotropin (ACTH) and/or cortisone therapy. The incidence of remissions and the life expectancy in treated and untreated patients have been compared. The 34 untreated patients studied all died of systemic lupus erythematosus in the Los Angeles County Hospital during the 15 year period from January, 1935, to January, 1950. Spontaneous clinical remissions after onset of the unequivocal active disease occurred in seven of these patients. The mean duration of life after the onset of systemic lupus erythematosus in this group and in similar groups reported by Klemperer¹ and Tumulty² is presented in table 1. The 30 patients receiving corticotropin or cortisone were all treated in this hospital prior to July 1, 1951. The diagnosis was confirmed in each patient by one or more of the following symptoms: typical skin